European officials look to collect taxes on church properties

September 14, 2012

Public officials in Europe are calling for taxation of properties owned by the Catholic Church, as a means to help balance strained budgets.

In Spain, a campaign to impose taxes on church-owned properties that are not used for religious purposes could cost dioceses as much as €3 billion, the Washington Post reports, noting that the Catholic Church is one of the country’s largest landowners. Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti has also suggested that the Church should be taxed on properties that are used for money-making activities.

 

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Further information:

• Financially troubled parts of Europe consider taxing church properties (Washington Post)